Savage Gentleman: 2. The Break In

Evelyn turned toward the noise.

Nothing. Only her reflection in the glass doors—wide-eyed, pale, foolish.

And then a voice, low and smooth as shadow:

“You really should sleep with the lights off, Miss Vale.”

She spun.

Lucas Sterling leaned against the threshold, black-gloved hands resting at his sides. He was dressed in dark clothes, no tie, no invitation this time—only that same impossible calm.

Evelyn’s pulse hammered against her throat. “How did you—” she started asking. 

He smiled, unhurried. “Getting in is always easier than getting out. The real trick is not to wake the ghosts.”

“Or the alarms,” she said, forcing steel into her tone. “You’re trespassing.”

“I am.” His gaze flicked over her—the loose knot of her robe, the bare curve of her throat—then back to her eyes. “You’re not afraid", he observed. 

“I should be", she replied, narrowing her eyes at him. 

“But you’re not", he said, and it was obv